OPEC at 65: Many Challenges in the Global Energy Market
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) marks its 65th anniversary—an institution created to change the rules of the game in the global energy market. Founded on September 14, 1960, in Baghdad, this alliance—conceived by Venezuelan Juan Pablo Pérez Alfonzo, known as the “Father of OPEC”—has consolidated itself as a key player with the […]
The National Hydrocarbons Agency: A Necessity for the Development of the Oil Business – Interview with Germán Arce Zapata
Germán Arce Zapata, a Colombian with extensive experience in the energy and financial sectors, provides us with a broad view of the importance of the ANH for the growth and oversight of the hydrocarbons industry, as well as insights into the Colombian experience since the agency’s creation. Why is a National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH) important […]
Complexities of the oil relationship between Venezuela and the U.S.
Relations and exchanges between the countries are determined more by the economic convenience of each country than by any other factor. Throughout history, Venezuela and the United States have been trading partners, especially in the area of hydrocarbons. Its roots go back to the beginning of the 20th century, with an evolution marked by political […]
The role of research centers and universities in times of crisis: The Venezuelan case
In the midst of a crisis that has hit the economy, institutions and productive capacity of the country hard, it is urgent to rethink the role of our research and technological development centers and universities. Venezuela will not be able to get back on its feet if it does not strengthen the scaffolding of knowledge. […]
Interview with Juan Carlos Sánchez
Juan Carlos Sánchez is a distinguished industrial engineer and Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences from the National Institute of Applied Sciences in Toulouse, France. With over 35 years of experience, he has served as a technical advisor to Venezuela’s Ministry of Energy and Mines and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He has played an active role […]
The Educational Challenge Facing Venezuela’s New Government: Driving National Development
For over two decades, Venezuela has endured a blackout that goes beyond the collapse of its electrical grid. It has been a profound blackout of knowledge, professional training, and academic excellence. While other countries in the region strengthened their educational and technical systems to compete in a globalized world, Venezuela was led down a path […]
Can Venezuela Overcome Its Power Crisis?
A technical-economic perspective on renewable energy and natural gas as real alternatives to Venezuela’s electrical emergency. Venezuela is facing a structural crisis in its electrical system. The country’s main hydroelectric plants —Simón Bolívar (Guri, the eleventh-largest dam in the world with 77,970,000 m³ of capacity and 47,000 GWh in generation), Macagua, and Caruachi— are severely […]
Oil spills in Venezuela
The figures presented below are the result of the monitoring and systematization of news and reports on oil spills in Venezuela. We must point out that the information was gathered by analyzing portals, networks and expert organizations on the subject such as Clima 21, the Observatorio de Ecología Política de Venezuela, the Observatorio Venezolano de […]
Flaring of natural gas: global impact and Venezuela’s critical case
Flaring of natural gas is one of the main sources of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions worldwide. Although it is sometimes necessary for safety reasons or due to the lack of infrastructure to capture and process gas, its excessive use represents a serious environmental threat, a waste of energy and industrial resources, and a risk to […]
Strategic Reflections on Oil and Energy Policy: Interview with Dr. Juan Carlos Echeverry
Juan Carlos Echeverry holds a degree in Economics from Universidad de los Andes; a Ph.D. in Economics from New York University; a Diploma in International Economics from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy in Germany; and has pursued postgraduate studies in Philosophy at the Complutense University of Madrid, Spain. He has served as Minister […]
